Search

Biological transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) to vertebrate hosts by hematophagous insects poses a global threat because such arboviruses can result in a range of serious public health infectious diseases. Sindbis virus (SINV), the prototypeAlphavirus, was used to track infections in the posterior midgut (PMG) ofAedes aegyptiadult mosquitoes. Females were fed viremic blood containing a virus reporter, SINV [Thosea asignavirus-green fluorescent protein (TaV-GFP)], that leaves a fluorescent signal in infected cells. We assessed whole-mount PMGs to identify primary foci, secondary target tissues, distribution, and virus persistence. Following a viremic blood meal, PMGs were dissected and analyzed at various days of post blood-feeding. We report that virus foci indicated by GFP in midgut epithelial cells resulted in a 9.8% PMG infection and a 10.8% dissemination from these infected guts. The number of virus foci ranged from 1 to 3 per individual PMG and was more prevalent in the PMG-middle > PMG-frontal > PMG-caudal regions. SINV TaV-GFP was first observed in the PMG (primary target tissue) at 3 days post blood-feeding, was sequestered in circumscribed foci, replicated in PMG peristaltic muscles (secondary target tissue) following dissemination, and GFP was observed to persist in PMGs for 30 days postinfection.

Transit of the arthropod-borne-virus (arbovirus) Sindbis (SINV) throughout adult female mosquitoes initiates with its attachment to the gut lumen, entry and amplification in midgut cells, followed by dissemination into the hemolymph. Free-mated adult females, aged day 5&ndash, 7, were proffered a viremic blood suspension via sausage casings containing SINV-TaV-Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) at a final titer of 106 PFU/mL. Midguts (MGs) from fully engorged mosquitoes were resected on days 5 and 7 post-bloodmeal, and immunolabeled using FMRFamide antibody against enteroendocrine cells (ECs) with a TX-Red secondary antibody. Following immunolabeling, the organs were investigated via laser confocal microscopy to identify the distribution of GFP and TX-Red. Infection using this reporter virus was observed as multiple GFP expression foci along the posterior midgut (PMG) epithelium and ECs were observed as TX-Red labeled cells scattered along the entire length of the MG. Our results demonstrated that SINVGFP did infect ECs, as indicated by the overlapping GFP and TX-Red channels shown as yellow in merged images. We propose that ECs may be involved in the SINV infection pathway in the mosquito MG. Due to the unique role that ECs have in the exocytosis of secretory granules from the MG and the apical-basolateral position of ECs in the PMG monolayer, we speculate that these cells may assist as a mechanism for arboviruses to cross the gut barriers. These findings suggest that MG ECs are involved in arbovirus infection of the invertebrate host.

Biological transmission of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) to vertebrate hosts by hematophagous insects poses a global threat because such arboviruses can result in a range of serious public health infectious diseases. Sindbis virus (SINV), the prototype Alphavirus, was used to track infections in the posterior midgut (PMG) of Aedes aegypti adult mosquitoes. Females were fed viremic blood containing a virus reporter, SINV [Thosea asigna virus-green fluorescent protein (TaV-GFP)], that leaves a fluorescent signal in infected cells. We assessed whole-mount PMGs to identify primary foci, secondary target tissues, distribution, and virus persistence. Following a viremic blood meal, PMGs were dissected and analyzed at various days of post blood-feeding. We report that virus foci indicated by GFP in midgut epithelial cells resulted in a 9.8% PMG infection and a 10.8% dissemination from these infected guts. The number of virus foci ranged from 1 to 3 per individual PMG and was more prevalent in the PMG-middlePMG-frontalPMG-caudal regions. SINV TaV-GFP was first observed in the PMG (primary target tissue) at 3 days post blood-feeding, was sequestered in circumscribed foci, replicated in PMG peristaltic muscles (secondary target tissue) following dissemination, and GFP was observed to persist in PMGs for 30 days postinfection.

Light-up of nuclear G-quadruplex DNA in cells by an aggregating and red/NIR emitting dye., Aggregation, red-NIR emission and light-up upon nucleic acid G-quadruplex binding have been investigated for a prototype core-extended naphthalene diimide, which is capable of fast cellular entry and nucleolar localization. Both high-level colocalization with an anti-G-quadruplex antibody and nucleolin displacement reveal that the compound targets and thus makes visible nuclear DNA G-quadruplexes.

The G-quadruplexes (G4s) are currently being explored as therapeutic targets in cancer and other pathologies. Six carbohydrate naphthalene diimide conjugates (carb-NDIs) have been synthesized as G4 ligands to investigate their potential selectivity in G4 binding and cell penetration. Carb-NDIs have shown certain selectivity for G4 structures against DNA duplexes, but different sugar moieties do not induce a preference for a specific G4 topology. Interestingly, when monosaccharides were attached through a short ethylene linker to the NDI scaffold, their cellular uptake was two- to threefold more efficient than that when the sugar was directly attached through its anomeric position. Moreover, a correlation between more efficient cell uptake of these carb-NDIs and their higher toxicity in cancerous cell lines has been observed. Carb-NDIs seem to be mainly translocated into cancer cells through glucose transporters (GLUT), of which GLUT4 plays a major role.

Apoptosis is observed during a spectrum of conditions including exogenous virus infection and endogenous cellular turnover. Adult femaleAedes albopictusmosquitoes challenged with increasing titres of Sindbis virus (SINV) via intrathoracic inoculation demonstrated that the injection dosage did not result in significantly different levels of virus growth or mosquito survival at day 10 post-infection. Tissues probed for apoptosis using anin situTUNEL assay revealed SINV-associated apoptotic cells scattered throughout the proximal and distal regions of the salivary gland (SG) lateral lobes but which were not detected in the median lobe or the midgut and hindgut. Apoptosis was also identified in SG duct cells in both infected and uninfected mosquitoes, suggesting routine tissue homeostasis. SINV-associated apoptosis sequestered to the SG lateral lobes indicates a differential epithelial cell response to an arbovirus and provides insight into mosquito defence mechanisms against pathogens and SG infection barriers, hurdles to transmission of arboviruses of public health concern.

Changes in the time to first bite (TFB) and the bloodfeeding behavior of adult female Aedes aegypti (L.) mosquitoes following dissemination of Sindbis virus (SINV) were observed after exposure to repellents with the active ingredients (AI) DEET, picaridin, 2-undecanone (2-U), and oil of lemon eucalyptus. Dissemination of SINV significantly decreased (P0.0001) the TFB of DEET (15%) and picaridin (15%) by 46% and 37%, respectively. Significant (P0.0001) changes in activation, probing, and engorgement times were observed in SINV infected mosquitoes after exposure to the four repellents compared to uninfected mosquitoes. Taken together, a decrease in TFB and time to complete the four bloodfeeding stages will lessen the prey-status, and enhance both the chances of mosquito survival and arbovirus transmission.

To determine whether a Sindbis virus (family Togaviridae, genus Alphavirus, SINV) infection in Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) affected its response to the repellent DEET, we orally exposed Ae. aegypti to an artificial bloodmeal containing SINV or diluent and then allowed to feed on a 10% sucrose suspension containing 3% DEET. When tested seven or more days after the initial bloodmeal, although none of the diluent-exposed mosquitoes fed on the DEET-sucrose suspension, at least 60% of the SINV-exposed mosquitoes fed on the suspension. When legs from the SINV-exposed mosquitoes were tested to determine dissemination status, 89% of those that fed on the DEET-sucrose suspension contained virus. In contrast, only 34% of the nonfeeders had a disseminated infection. When offered a choice between sucrose with or without DEET, a significantly higher percentage of the SINV-exposed mosquitoes than the control mosquitoes fed on the sucrose containing 3% DEET. Together, these results indicate that mosquitoes with a disseminated SINV infection may be less responsive to DEET than uninfected mosquitoes. Therefore, repellent use may be less effective in deterring infected mosquitoes from biting than previously believed.

Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are competent natural and laboratory vectors for numerous arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), many of which pose global public health concerns. Efficiently imbibing a blood meal from an artificial membrane feeder, Ae. aegypti is an easy feeder: ∼ 96% success. Alternatively, Ae. albopictus is known to be a difficult feeder imbibing poorly: ∼ 20% success. Adult female mosquitoes were grouped in cohorts of 50, proffered a bovine blood meal, and challenged with experimental variables, and feeding success was documented. Controls included Ae. aegypti and the artificial glass membrane feeder: topside presentation (upside-down feeding position only). Variables included lambskin versus bovine collagen sausage membranes, presence or absence of gentle motion, filial generations, and large or small blood packets positioned differently: horizontal presentation (right side-up or nose-up feeding position) and vertical presentation (nose-up feeding position only). Both species preferred sausage casings, and ultrastructural analysis revealed that sausage casings had a textured gripping surface not observed on lambskin membranes. Neither filial generations nor gentle motion improved feeding; however, a 32%-46% increase in blood feeding was observed when Ae. albopictus fed on large horizontal and large or small vertical blood packets. Upside-down feeding of Ae. albopictus with a blood suspension of Sindbis virus heat resistant (SVHR) and the original isolate (AR339) resulted in virus dissemination of 10% and 50%, respectively. Use of bovine collagen sausage membranes in a vertical feeding position will increase the number of engorged females, thereby substantially increasing the number of arbovirus-exposed organisms in the laboratory. Differences in blooding success in response to feeding position further separates the behavior attributes of two Aedine species. Blood meal presentation facilitates gravity and we suggest this is a deciding factor in the feeding success of Ae. albopictus.

Differential host cell responses to the alphavirus Sindbis were observed in visceral muscles of the adult female mosquito Aedes albopictus. Following intrathoracic inoculation with SIN, muscles associated with the midgut, hindgut, and ovary resulted in clearance, persistence, and refractoriness to virus, respectively. Prominent sarcomeres characteristic of myofilaments were identified in muscles associated with these three organs by phalloidin labeling of actin, confirming these cells as muscle. The location of virus antigen mimicked the distribution of actin in both mid- and hindgut-associated muscles. Furthermore, these myofilaments remained intact following virus clearance from midgut muscles and during virus persistence in hindgut muscles. Changes in the temporal onset of virus antigen following high titer inoculum compared with standard titer inoculum was observed in anterior midgut muscles, but not in muscles associated with the posterior midgut or hindgut. Muscle bundles closely approximated the gut surface, while a wispy association was displayed at the ovary surface. Prominent ultrastructural differences were observed in the basal lamina attached to the gut compared with the ovary. Additionally, ultrastructural evidence for virus-associated pathology was observed in gut-associated muscles and gut epithelium. Visceral muscles, all composed of the same tissue type, but associated to three different organs in the insect abdomen, responded differentially to Sindbis. We speculate that variations in structure, function or physiology and ultrastructure inherent to insect host cells or organs interactions reflect the complicated milieu of the organism and contribute to differential virus phenotypic expression in muscle cells.

Mapping the distribution of dentin tubules is vital to understanding the structure–function relationship of dentin, an important indicator of tooth stability. This study compared the distances between and density of tubules in the external dentin located in the crown region of an adult human incisor and molar to determine if analysis could be conducted using light-level microscopy. Teeth were processed for routine histology, cut in cross-section, images captured using Advanced SPOT Program, and microstructure was analyzed using ImageJ (NIH). Intratubular (peritubular) dentin with or without odontoblast processes were observed and although incisor and molar images appeared visually similar, plot profile graphs differed. Distance-intervals between tubules in the incisor (5.45–7.67 μm) had an overall range of 2.22 μm and in the molar (7.43–8.42 μm) an overall range of 0.99 μm. While molar tubule distribution displayed a tighter overall range, there was a smaller distance between most incisor tubules. The average densities observed in incisors were 15,500 tubules/mm 2 , compared with 20,100 tubules/mm 2 in molars. ImageJ analysis of prepared histology microscopic slides provides researchers with a rapid, inexpensive assessment tool when compared with advanced/ultrastructural methodologies. By combining routine histological processing and light microscopic observations followed by ImageJ analysis, tooth structure can be converted into numerical data and easily mastered by laboratory personnel.

SUMMARY We have previously demonstrated the involvement of carbonic anhydrase (CA)in larval mosquito midgut physiology. In this study, we used Hansson's histochemistry to examine the distribution of the enzyme in the midgut of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex nigripalpus, Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus, Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles quadrimaculatus adult mosquitoes. Additionally, we quantitated CA content in the anterior and posterior midgut of adult males and females from these species using the 18O isotope exchange method coupled to mass spectrometry. We also tested the effect of CA inhibitors such as methazolamide and acetazolamide in the alkalization of the midgut in females from these species. Our results indicate that CA is present in the midgut of adults from the species studied and that it appears to be preferentially associated with the posterior midgut in both males and females. CA inhibitors appear to have a profound effect on midgut pH indicating that this enzyme might play a key role in the maintenance of this pH.

Virus dissemination and associated pathology were examined in Aedes albopictus after intrathoracic inoculation of Sindbis virus (SIN), the prototypic Alphavirus. At 10 days postinfection, virus RNA was detected in all three-body segments of the insect. Colocalization of virus antigen with structural pathology was observed in mosquito salivary glands and midgut-associated visceral muscles, representing yet another example of arbovirus-associated pathology in a mosquito host. SIN antigen and gross pathology were detected in lateral lobes, but not the medial lobe of salivary glands, whereas virus antigen, vacuolated cytoplasm, and myofilament misalignment were detected in the visceral muscles at the midgut exterior surface. Early in the midgut infection, virus antigen was localized in small foci on the organ surface that progressed to a grate work-like banding pattern that eventually cleared. Both the salivary glands and the midgut are essential to insect survival and reproduction. Additionally, these organs provide a pathway for virus transmission in nature. Although SIN infection may not shorten the mosquito life span, persistent coexistence could permit survival of both host and microbe as well as contribute to alterations in insect behavior.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of paclitaxel in patients with advanced squamous cell penile cancer previously treated with neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy. This was a single-arm, phase II, multicenter study. Patients were treated with 175 mg/m paclitaxel at a 3-week interval, until disease progression or irreversible toxicity. The primary end point was the objective response rate. Secondary end points were safety, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Twelve patients were enrolled. Partial responses were observed in 25% (3 of 12) of patients (95% confidence interval: 12-40%). Grade 3 neutropenia and oral mucositis were the most common side effects, each noted in three patients. Median progression-free survival was 4 months (range 2-6 months) and median overall survival was 6 months (range 3-10 months). Paclitaxel is well tolerated and associated with promising efficacy. Further trials, also in a neoadjuvant setting, are needed to corroborate our preliminary findings.